Adam Prudhomme
Editor
A late rally ultimately wound up one goal short for the Deseronto Bulldogs, who fell 5-4 on the road to the Arnprior Rivermen.
Carter Thornton scored on the power-play with a little over seven minutes remaining in the game to bring the Bulldogs to within a goal. That would be as closed as they get as Arnprior’s Patrick Killeen was the difference in the game, stopping 56 shots to make the one goal lead hold up and steal the victory for the home team. Deseronto’s Corey Kuypers had 23 saves on the night.
The Bulldogs struck first in the game courtesy a goal from Garry Smith less than five minutes after the opening draw. That would be the only lead they’d hold all the game, instead forced to chase the Rivermen the rest of the way, never quite able to leapfrog. They were however able to tie it at 2-2 late in the first on the heels of a goal from Jonny Hill.
The Rivermen began to pull away in the second as they scored twice unanswered to build a 4-2 lead. Thornton scored his first of the game with five minutes remaining in the frame to bring the ‘Dogs to within one, only to see the Rivermen respond in the final two minutes to rebuild the two goal advantage. That goal would prove to be the difference as Thornton struck again in the third but the comeback fizzled from there.
The loss drops the Bulldogs to 3-4 on the season, holding onto the fifth spot in the six team Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League West Division. Deseronto remains winless on the road while a perfect 3-0 at home.
The Bulldogs will be on the road Saturday when they visit the Tweed Oil Kings for a 1 p.m. matinee. On Nov. 19 the Bulldogs are back at home for a rematch with the Rivermen. Puck drop for that one will be 6:30 p.m.